Duquesne Light has signed a contract with Itron for the deployment of Itron’s smart metering solution across the utility’s entire service territory. The contract signing follows approval from Duquesne Light’s Board of Directors and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC).

As a part of Duquesne Light’s smart meter program, Itron will replace the utility’s existing 625,000 electricity meters with Itron smart meters, implement sophisticated back-office data collection software, supply critical network communications infrastructure, and provide comprehensive professional services. Itron smart meters will be installed on homes and businesses to meet the requirements outlined in ACT 129 passed by the PA legislature in 2008.

“We rigorously evaluated smart grid vendors and their solutions, and Itron’s solution proved to be highly flexible and offered the most robust capabilities. We are confident Itron’s feature-rich and reliable technology will put us in the best position to meet our business objectives as well as the requirements of Act 129 and the PAPUC Smart Meter Implementation Order,” said Dave Wolfe, Director of Technology, Duquesne Light Company.

To ensure the success of the project and the realization of the long-term goals of their program, Itron will be involved with all aspects of the full deployment, including consulting, meter exchange, project management, training and support.

“We’re proud to work in partnership with Duquesne Light as their smart metering program evolves into a full-scale deployment,” said Mark de Vere White, president of Itron’s electricity business line. “We look forward to delivering the technology and services that will help Duquesne Light manage resources and provide reliable service to its customers.”